BATON ROUGE (June 8, 2010) - Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Secretary Robert Barham announced the following closure to recreational and commercial fishing in portions of inside waters east of Grand Bayou in Plaquemines Parish effective immediately today, June 8 due to reports of oil.

The portion of state inside waters west of the Mississippi River and south of 29 degrees 30 minutes 00 seconds north latitude and north of 29 degrees 20 minutes 00 seconds north latitude from the western shoreline of the Empire Canal westward to the western shoreline of Grand Bayou is closed to recreational and commercial fishing effective immediately today, June 8, 2010.

Precautionary closures of recreational and commercial fishing have been implemented based on the best information the Secretary of the Department receives from field biologists, staff and trajectory models from NOAA.

Once reports of oil are received, LDWF initiates a field survey and immediate seafood testing in the suspected areas. Closures are subsequently made with the intent to be as safe as possible, while not closing any fishing areas unnecessarily. As test results come back clearing the area, effected waters are then reopened.